Suggestions for Lead Free Hunting Ammo

[TN2shot07]

One of my model sevens loves the factory 120 ttsx’s, nothing high bc about them but deer don’t like them much.

 

[brownbear932008]

I shoot the Barnes TTSX 120s in my 7mm 08 and they flat out work.

 

[Elktrack]

Found them easier to load, but also since they expand better at lower velocities figured that extra margin was beneficial especially with non magnums.

Makes sense. I’ve never tried the LRX but I am considering it. They offer it in a weight I want in the LRX but not in the TTSX.

 

[texwest44]

I've tried just about every commonly available copper bullet over the years (Barnes TTSX, Hornady CX, Winchester Copper Impact, Browning BXS, Federals with Barnes TSX, Federal Power Shok copper, a couple others), and the TTSXs give me the best groups generally speaking. The Federal Premiums with TSX rounds grouped really well, but were harder to find locally. My dad's old Remington rifle from the 60s (I forget the model number) seemed to prefer the Winchester Copper Impacts more than anything, weirdly enough.

Try a few and see which one your rifle prefers. Hard to know without doing some test shooting.

 

[jimh406]

Barnes are probably the best for factory loads.

 

[Jnasa]

For loaded ammo I’d see what is available locally. Try a couple different types. I really like Barnes for reloading. My wife’s rifle didn’t shoot the factory ammo well though. Hornady outfitter ammo with their CX did shoot well though.

I’d suggest making sure your bore is clean. Some monos don’t group well when shot in a barrel fowled by cup and core.

 

[Redmt]

I’d suggest making sure your bore is clean. Some monos don’t group well when shot in a barrel fowled by cup and core.

One thing I found about any copper is that it doesn't like to follow anything but copper.

 

[Jbotto]

I’ve been a Barnes guy through and through. I slipped up during the Covid shortages and ran out of my favorites and had to switch. I switched all of my rifles except my primary .30-06 back to Barnes. For the .30-06, I’m using Nosler E-tips. They are accurate enough in this rifle but the performance has been great on game!

I reload so I buy bullets and not ammunition, but if you watch Nosler.com frequently enough they throw factory seconds on great sales for ammunition and bullets alike. You might just be able to find a load your rifles like. At least with the bullets I’ve bought as Factory Seconds, I confirmed with customer service that they were just blemishes and performance would remain the same.

Barnes TTSX, LRX, and Nosler E-tips is where my recommendation goes to.

 

[Wolfshead]

I would also suggest that you go light for caliber for your rifle.
120s instead of the 140s. You’ll get great speeds and their weight retention is so much better than lead.
I live in that state next to yours, that is offering the $60 rebate, and I’ve begun making the transition as I’m certain that it won’t be long until we go lead free.
I shoot mostly a 308 and I’m handloading Barnes ttsx.
I’m shooting the 130 grain and getting a muzzle velocity of 3170 ave.
I’m similar to a 270 in speed and how flat they shoot.
I limit my shooting to 300 yards, so they will get there pretty quick.

 

[F250]

Thank you all for responding. I knew there was a lot of experience among the members here. I appreciate you sharing that knowledge. I just ordered a box of 120 gr. Barnes TTSX and a box of 140 gr. Nosler E- Tips. My wife shoots a Browning X-Bolt. and I shoot a Bergara Hunter. We will start the process.

 

[MaddH]

Weatherby Select is loading Hammers in some calibers. I shooter them in my 28 Nosler and love them

 

[Nicoli7153]

One thing I found about any copper is that it doesn't like to follow anything but copper.

If going to Hammer it's best to remove all the copper gilding from the barrel and start clean.

Their bullets use a softer copper alloy than others.

It's been noticed that performance is improved when this is done ..... think it's because the bullet grabs the rifling better

The Thoro Clean system has worked well for me and others.

FWIW

 

[44hunter45]

Weatherby Select is loading Hammers in some calibers. I shooter them in my 28 Nosler and love them

Weatherby gave me a box of 127 LRX for 6.5 WBY RPM ammo when I was in Sheridan this year. Haven't shot any game yet, but they zeroed in 2 rounds and the next four cloverleafed.
This is the only factory copper I have ever shot. They cost about as much as a tank of gas for my truck.

I handload the 112HHT over Ramshot Magnum in this rifle with good results.

 

[Sheltowee]

I handload the 112HHT over Ramshot Magnum in this rifle with good results.

Good grief, what kind of velocities are you getting?

 

[belshawelk]

Barns LRX is what I use. makes things dead

 

[44hunter45]

Good grief, what kind of velocities are you getting?

I could hijack this thread with this story. As far as the thread goes, I'm OK with any of the new gen lead free ammo that shoots well. Especially for deer.

Like most Hammer fanatics, I could go on and on about it.

Not pushing this Hammer load hard at all. Miss T self describes as "recoil sensitive". This due to her dumbass former stepdad putting her behind a .270 when she was ten.

I used Hammer's start load and stopped at the first accuracy node. Just a little under 3300fps. I wanted a load that would slam a deer, but not her shoulder. She describes this setup as "OK for recoil". The rifle weighs 6 1/2lbs without the scope, so I'm kind of proud of that. The brake is removed.

She is 6' tall at 16. There is no physical reason for her recoil phobia. I made a big show of working up special loads for her and we spent an afternoon on the bench with them. No complaints. All part of my Machiavellian plan to get her past this.

She's living the over-scheduled teenager life. We haven't been out to test it in the woods.

If you can get your hands on RL26, the Hammer max load data for the 112HHT shows 3570fps. They say 88% density, so YMMV if you are the aggressive type. I'm out of RL26, but would do about anything to get more. I use RL26 in a 118HHT load in my M77 .264WM. That hits 3650+ and 1/2 MOA. I have less than 30 left. When those are used up, I will start over with the slow Viht V5XX stuff.

Weatherby told me that all their rifles crater primers. This is my only Weatherby, so I couldn't say one way or another. It does make it a little harder to read the signs. You can go from craters to stiff bolt really fast. I took it to them for pressure issues. They re-reamed it and tested it with the 127 LRX factory. They handed me the ammo box back with the rifle. 18 loaded and two spent casings. No charge, other than a really cool road trip with my son.

They also said that it is a mistake to assume their RPM chambered rifles have long throats like Ol' Roy liked them.

Given all that, I don't load this rifle hot. If I want warp speed, I go to my .264.